– In an extraordinary convergence of luxury, strategy, and sector ambition, the Cape Mining Club hosted its latest forum at Cabo Beach Club in Cape Town this past weekend – an event that turned heads not just for its guest list but for its location.
Though Cape Town is better known for tourism, finance, and tech than for mineral extraction, the choice of venue was no accident. “A large number of our attendees flew in for this,” said one organiser, “Cape Town is a dealmaking hub.”
The forum drew financiers, junior exploration companies, geological specialists, infrastructure developers, legal and compliance specialists, and mining executives from across the continent. Held against the backdrop of the Mediterranean-inspired flair of Cabo Beach Club, the event had all the markings of a new chapter in how mining is discussed: modern, sophisticated, and deeply connected to local trading hubs.
Among the event’s key partners was Women in Mining South Africa, Kumba Iron Ore, and Hibarri, all positioning Cape Town as a hub for mineral trade rather than mineral extraction.
Cape Town might not be where the minerals are, but it’s increasingly where the deals are signed. Forums like the Cape Mining Club gatherings prove that Africa’s mining conversation can evolve beyond geology – it’s about capital, technology, and strategic positioning.
Hibarri used the occasion to unveil further details about the International Commodity Summit 2025, with a strong focus on unlocking export pathways for African producers across mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
With the success of this weekend’s event, the Cape Mining Club has solidified its reputation as a quietly influential force in shaping African mining’s future – one cocktail and conversation at a time.
Cape Town may not be associated with the idea of a pit or shaft – but if this gathering was any indication, it’s rapidly becoming the boardroom of African mining.
With commodity prices entering a new supercycle, and international buyers increasingly looking to secure critical minerals, Cape Town’s profile as a neutral, globally connected city is gaining traction. Logistics, finance, regulatory stability, and investor access are converging in a city better known for wine estates and design studios – but now home to what some are calling “the Geneva of African trade.”
With the momentum of the gathering, the Cape Mining Club positioned the City as a deal-making engine. Several major corporates have already confirmed their attendance to the CMC Mining Indaba related conference, and corporate sponsorship packages are now reportedly becoming increasingly more valuable, reflecting the conference’s expanding commercial weight.
While South Africa’s traditional mining towns face structural decline, Cape Town is becoming the deal room of the industry. It’s where early-stage projects are pitched, funding terms are negotiated, and multinational players hunt for offtake agreements. The Cape Mining Club has carved out a space in this shifting landscape – blending exclusivity with influence.
Their events are intentionally private, invitation-only, and far removed from the high-vis jackets and muddy boots of typical mining gatherings. And yet, the commercial outcomes are substantial.
From their waterfront base, the Club is positioning itself as a catalyst for a new generation of mining leadership – one focused on sustainability, technology, and global trade integration. Their alignment with Women in Mining South Africa and connection to the upcoming International Commodity Summit 2025 signals a deliberate move to scale that influence, and concentrate on the forward movement of the local mining industry.
As South Africa grapples with how to modernize its mineral economy – amid energy transition pressures, geopolitical realignments, and investor hesitancy – the Club is quietly answering the call: mining is still our future, but it needs a new centre of gravity.
And according to the Cape Mining Club, that centre might just be a beach club in Cape Town.
